What do you believe?
Could you express it in 300 to 500 words?
National Public Radio started a project that challenged people to do just that. Each person wrote a short essay entitled: “This I Believe.”
A friend of mine told me about the books containing collections of these personal reflections. I read several of them, and they were both revealing and inspiring.
A friend of mine told me about the books containing collections of these personal reflections. I read several of them, and they were both revealing and inspiring.
The authors of these short articles are both famous (Newt Gingrich, Leonard Bernstein, Carl Sandburg) and unknown. These snippets are not meant to describe a whole life. Instead, they aim to define just one idea the author has come to accept as true.
It got me thinking about what I believe. It was a good exercise. I had to try to put into words some truths I had never taken the time to name.
I’d like to share with you some of the ideas I had. Some of them I knew. Some were a fun surprise!
I believe that ‘no’ sometimes means ‘not now’ or ‘not the way you think.’
I believe that doing something is better than saying something.
I believe that turning down an opportunity might be the best thing I’ll ever do.
I believe that although I have been married to the same man for 32 years, I will never stop learning new things about him.
I believe that waking up in the morning is a little gift; a movement of trust by God that I’ll do what he needs me to do today.
You know how you’re supposed to learn one thing every day? I might not. I’m a slow learner, and I often have to repeat the classes.
I believe that if ‘Jesus loves the little children’, then I know I’m safe. I usually can’t open the jar of pickles either.
I believe that God has a plan for me and it’s not as mysterious as I make it out to be.
I believe that I have the capacity to hurt you, and you have the capacity to hurt me. I’ll still want to get to know you.
I believe in the value of silence.
These are only a few of the things that I believe. Oh my gosh, there are so more…but these are what rose to the top. It’s a great exercise because it got me thinking, and it got me thanking God.
How about you? Go ahead! Take a few minutes and consider what you believe. I think you’re going to find that there are so many things. For the most part, they’re not earth shaking, but they are yours. And that makes them beautiful.
So I have to ask…what do you believe?
Linking today with: Unite! , Soli Deo Gloria , Encourage 24/7
These are only a few of the things that I believe. Oh my gosh, there are so more…but these are what rose to the top. It’s a great exercise because it got me thinking, and it got me thanking God.
How about you? Go ahead! Take a few minutes and consider what you believe. I think you’re going to find that there are so many things. For the most part, they’re not earth shaking, but they are yours. And that makes them beautiful.
So I have to ask…what do you believe?
Linking today with: Unite! , Soli Deo Gloria , Encourage 24/7
Good word…it is something to think about! I have a vintage church attendance board in my dining room above the small church pew….it says: Believe in Jesus Blessings~~~Roxie
Hi Roxie! I bet that little corner is so beautiful! ‘Believe in Jesus’ is the best belief of all, it covers all the other ideas and makes them perfect.
So happy to see you today, Roxie! Thank you for coming on over, and making a comment too.
Blessings!
Ceil
Thanks for sharing — good food for thought for sure!! “You know how you’re supposed to learn one thing every day? I might not…” I agree. I often think I can learn things quick and be done with them, but I have to learn and relearn all the time. God is gracious.
Hi Julie! It’s just like us humans to learn and forget. I think the Lord expects it from me. But he is right there all the time, every step, like the patient Father he is. He is gracious! You are so right.
Blessings!
Ceil
What a great idea. Your list was very thought-provoking. I especially liked this one:
“I believe that God has a plan for me and it’s not as mysterious as I make it out to be.”
This is so true for me too. Great thought to ponder.
Visiting from the Finding Heaven blog hop.
Hi Cathy! Thank you for coming over today from SDG.
I am so glad you liked the post today. Isn’t it such good news that God’s plan is not something like a math test? If we get it wrong, it’s ok. God will gently lead again. What a Father we have in heaven!
Happy Tuesday!
Ceil
Hi Ceil,
What a great exercise, and I loved reading your list…yes, to silence…and congrats on 32 years…it speaks volume of your love for each other…we’re only at 22 years…blessings to you
Hi Dolly! Happy Anniversary to you, whenever it occurs. All our married years are a cause to celebrate
So glad you liked the post today. It was fun to think about what I believed..both the silly ones and the more serious ones. I think it reflected my personality a bit. Maybe you’ll like doing it too.
Happy Tuesday!
Ceil
What a great idea
I love the pickles one he he he. I love reading things like that, it makes you think. I am going to have a try later. Have a blessed week. Tara.
Hi Tara! I liked the pickle one too! I am so glad you liked the post, and would like to try thinking about your beliefs too. Its a fun exercise! Who knows, you might get a blog post or two out of it too
Happy Tuesday!
Ceil
Dear Ceil
For much to long I have labored under the false believe that I am just an unworthy worm having to behave properly to find favor with our Pappa. Do you remember after He created man in His immage, he said it was very good. So apart from sin, we are precious to Him for only we were created with the ability to love Him in return to His amazing love as spiritual beings ourselves. That changed my believe quite a lot.
Blessings XX
Mia
Hi Mia! Yes, I do remember that the Lord loved his creation, and said that we were ‘very good’. And so we are! I love that, and thank you for sharing what you believe. You have really thought that out, and it shows in your writing. I think if I reflect on this topic more, I will become stronger in faith, and love of the Lord!
Happy Tuesday!
Ceil
These books and the radio series is terrific. One story in particular – Always go to the Funeral – has lingered with me and often inspired me to go that extra miles for someone else – all due to one little story from This I believe.
Hi Jean! I agree completely. I am not familiar with the Always go to the Funeral, but it really hit home with you, and that’s all I would need to know.
These small acts of belief are so inspiring, aren’t they? I love the detail in them. We can know we believe in God, but what does that lead us to believe about each other? That is a fascinating question.
Thanks for visiting today
Ceil
Wow Ceil! As you know, we are struggling with certain family members and their beliefs against ours. We were discussing this very same thing last night. One belief is and now, we fully accept it, “We are Jesus Frantics!” That’s what my sil said/called us. I will think about this and post it on Thursday. Thanks. Have a blessed day.
Hi Linda! So glad you were able to visit! Yes, I remember that post. It was the first one I ever read on your blog.
I am so happy that this has spurred you on to thinking about what you believe. I can’t wait to read it! It is such a good idea to put our ideas into words. Then we are ready to proclaim and defend what we know!
Blessings!
Ceil
I believe that God’s hands are always at work through those who love and surrender to Him.
Hugs!
Sue
Hi Sue! Oh, that is beautiful. What faith that requires, and knowledge to be able to say that too. It’s the surrender that is difficult for me, but I am working on it.
Thank you for coming over and joining in the discussion! It’s so fun to read what people believe. And so inspiring too.
Happy Tuesday
Ceil
I believe that by God’s mercy and grace, I am now His child, joint-heir with Christ, and His ambassador, destined for eternity in His presence! Praise the Lord!
Thanks for the great post & God bless!
Hi Laurie! That is such a complete, and wonderful statement. I think Jesus is definitely placing his wisdom in you. Yes, we are co-heirs, and what a wonder and honor that is for us.
I am so glad you liked the post, Laurie. Thank you for making your encouraging comment for all of us to read.
Peace in Christ,
Ceil
These are so great Ceil! I love how you see beauty in all the places that you do! Appreciating how you see “waking” as a gift from God…How you are honest in saying you can be like a little child. (Me too, my friend) Oh how I can relate! Thanks for challenging us to ask and deliberate over what we too believe! Great post Ceil! Thanks for staying UNITED, Jen
Hi Jen! Thank you for coming over on such a busy day for you. Sorry I was a spazz and posted twice on your bloghop. Yikes. That is child-like!
I am so happy that you liked the post and joined in letting us all know that you want to think about what you believe. It is a fun exercise, I really enjoyed it!
Happy Tuesday!
Ceil
I believe in the power of prayer. I too believe silence can be golden. We live in noisy world and no one really listens anymore. I want to not add to the noise and just listen. Be still.
HI Alecia! So nice to meet you today! I am so sure that God honors your beliefs listed here. How can you hear him clearly if you are not silent? I know that not everyone has that gift to be able to take the time, and God will honor that too.
May we all believe in the power of prayer! Amen to that!
Ceil
What a beautiful exercise! And the things you came up with are so interesting as well. I’ll have to give it a go myself, even if only in my head. Thanks, Ceil, for passing thing along.
Hi Lisa! So glad you liked the idea! Of course, I was inspired by the books, it wasn’t something I made up. ( I wish!)
It is fun to read what people believe, isn’t it? And it is a good review too. If we don’t know what we believe, how can we defend it?
Peace,
Ceil
I love about you always learn new things from him. I see my parents, and how important is that.
I think you’re just like me Ceil for some in believings :). It’s great to know a little bit of you here it makes me smile.
Thanks for sharing.
Hugs,
Delvalina
Hi Delvalina! I sure try to learn what I believe, and I know that the Lord is guiding that. How fun that you could relate to what I was saying in the post.
It really is a good way to get to know someone. If you know what people believe, then you know how they will react, and live their lives.
Thank you for coming over today Delvalina! You know I love to see you
Ceil
Great idea and great post! I so agree with it except for one slight difference of opinion. At the age of 67, waking up in the morning is a HUGE gift! LOL
Hi Lynn! It is a good idea, isn’t it? I wish I could take credit for it, but of course I can’t. But I sure had a good time thinking about some of the things I believed.
Love your comment about waking up! I love a good sense of humor, girl! I believe in that for sure
So happy to see you today, Lynn. Thanks for coming over today.
Ceil
I too believe that mornings are God’s gift! His mercy is renewed.
I believe in sincerity. Sincerity when you speak
And I believe in writing. And that it heals. haha
I believe in gratitude.
and i believe in feeling and naming what you feel no matter how bad. And that to get over it is to be grateful.
Hi Sheena! Thank you for sharing the things that you believe in! You are the only one to say that you believe in writing, that is so true. Of course I do, I just didn’t think of it. Thank you for that idea!
The naming the feelings point is a good one too. If you don’t know what you are feeling, how can you address it and make peace with it? These are so good, Sheena!
Peace in Christ,
Ceil
This is a great idea — to just list off the things you believe. It would be interesting to compare from year to year to see if there are any changes in your system!
Hi Jen! Thank you for coming over today! I hope that you are feeling better?
What a great idea! I should look back in a year (hopefully, I am still blogging then!) and see what I think. I’d like to believe that my beliefs are core values, but we do all change because of experiences. Thanks! Good insight
Happy Wednesday!
Ceil
What a great list! I just might have to use this idea for a blog post.
Thanks for popping by my blog! Nice to ‘meet’ you!
Thank you, netablogs! So good to meet you today, and thank you for coming by and joining the blog too. I look forward to getting to know you better
Hey, go for blogpost. It’s so fun to think about what we believe. It’s important to put it into words so we can understand why we do what we do. And defend it, if we have to.
Peace in Christ,
Ceil